Senior executive and educator, Dr Mark Stewart, has been appointed as Academic Director of AGSM MBA Programs and Adjunct Professor at the Australian School of Business.

Professor Chris Styles, the Deputy Dean and Director of AGSM says Mark Stewart has a unique blend of experience and skills from industry and academia that will enable him to foster both the rigour and relevance of AGSM programs. "Mark Stewart embodies what the AGSM MBA stands for: impacts on individuals, organisations and the broader community. And of course this is a welcome back to Mark, because he has been involved with the AGSM in several contexts, and has been teaching on the MBA."

Mark Stewart said he is happy to be returning to the AGSM. "Over the years, my involvement with the AGSM has been in several contexts - as a student, as an educator and, whilst working as an M&A specialist within the investment banking industry, as an employer of graduates. I have many firsthand experiences consistent with the observation that the AGSM attracts to its programs exceptionally talented people."

He has also had a longstanding interest in and involvement with postgraduate education programs. "The AGSM is uniquely positioned to help develop talented people on paths as the potential leaders of the future. Strong, cognizant leadership is essential to the prosperity of our communities, economies and businesses. Participants in AGSM MBA programs receive instruction from business and thought leaders across a diverse set of disciplines. Importantly, they form part of a cohort of very bright and similarly motivated colleagues - this interaction in itself represents a substantial component of the educational experience."

Mark Stewart has had a significant impact on the business community throughout his career. He has more than 20 years of experience working in financial markets as a specialist in mergers and acquisitions and he has also held senior positions with leading financial and professional services firms such as Deutsche Bank, Rand Merchant Bank and Deloitte.

Mark Stewart said "It is essential that our programs evolve in response to the changing needs of business and the community. One of my key objectives is to increase the level of engagement with senior executives of organisations with a view to enhancing the content of our MBA programs to meet the needs of the market and, generally, establishing mutually beneficial strategic relationships centred upon addressing the educational requirements of the business leaders of the future."

Mark will join AGSM MBA Programs on a part-time basis from December, commencing his full-time position as Academic Director on 1st February 2012.